This rhizomatous perennial forms a clump with upright to arching oblong dark green leaves with red to white lateral stripes on either side of the mid rib. The small tube-shaped violet coloured flowers appear in a small spike during summer.  

Hardiness zones 11 to 12 

Calathea majestica is naturally found in tropical America from Guyana to Colombia and Ecuador growing along rainforest and along water course margins. 

It prefers a well drained organic rich moist sandy loam in a semi shaded wind protected, humid position and is frost and drought tender.

This Calathea is grown for its foliage and is planted in tropical gardens along borders or around a water feature. It is also grown in patio pots or on creek embankments as an understorey plant. It  establishes in 1 to 2 years from division and is suitable for coastal regions requiring high humidity. Under cultivation flowers are rarely produced. ID 2946

Calathea (kal-aTHEE-a / ka-LAY-thee-a) majestica (ma-jest-ik-a) 

Marantaceae (MAR-an-TAY-see-ee)
Arrowroot